Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the normal fetal lung |
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Authors: | Csilla Balassy Gregor Kasprian Peter C Brugger Bence Csapo Michael Weber Marcus Hörmann Alexander Bankier Roland Bammer Christian J Herold Daniela Prayer |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;(2) Center of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;(3) Department of Obstetrics and Gyneocology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;(4) Department of Radiology, University of Stanford, Stanford, CA, USA |
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Abstract: | To quantify apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) changes in fetuses with normal lungs and to determine whether ADC can be
used in the assessment of fetal lung development. In 53 pregnancies (20–37th weeks of gestation), we measured ADC on diffusion-weighted
imaging (DWI) in the apical, middle, and basal thirds of the right lung. ADCs were correlated with gestational age. Differences
between the ADCs were assessed. Fetal lung volumes were measured on T2-weighted sequences and correlated with ADCs and with
age. ADCs were 2.13 ± 0.44 μm2/ms (mean ± SD) in the apex, 1.99 ± 0.42 μm2/ms (mean ± SD) in the middle third, and 1.91 ± 0.41 μm2/ms (mean ± SD) in the lung base. Neither the individual ADC values nor average ADC values showed a significant correlation
with gestational age or with lung volumes. Average ADCs decreased significantly from the lung apex toward the base. Individual
ADCs showed little absolute change and heterogeneity. Lung volumes increased significantly during gestation. We have not been
able to identify a pattern of changes in the ADC values that correlate with lung maturation. Furthermore, the individual,
gravity-related ADC changes are subject to substantial variability and show nonuniform behavior. ADC can therefore not be
used as an indicator of lung maturity. |
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Keywords: | Fetal lung Diffusion-weighted MR imaging Apparent diffusion coefficient Lung development |
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